‘Bates Motel’ series finale: Will it end with Norman jailed, committed or murdered? [POLL]

“Bates Motel” fans, we are only one week away from the series finale of A&E’s brilliant character study of Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) from innocent teenager to psychotic killer. As we eagerly await the final episode on April 24, we want to know what YOU think Norman’s ultimate fate will be on the show. Will Norman be sent to jail, committed in an asylum, or murdered by one of the many people he’s wronged? Vote in our poll below.

In Alfred Hitchock‘s “Psycho” (1960) upon which the TV series is based, Norman (Anthony Perkins) is last seen in a holding cell as a psychiatrist explains that his murderous Mother personality has taken permanent hold over Norman. His fate is left purposely ambiguous in the film, as it’s unclear whether Norman gets charged with murder or is committed for insanity.

At the end of Monday’s penultimate episode, Norman (who continues to switch between Highmore and Vera Farmiga) is on trial for murdering three people when ex-Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) breaks into the police station at gunpoint and removes him from his cell. Romero then shoves him into the back of his car along with the police station’s receptionist. Is Romero going to kill Norman for murdering his wife Norma? Or might Norman turn the tables and kill Romero instead?

If Norman does manage to escape Romero’s clutches, there is a good chance he could still face death in the “Bates Motel” series finale. His brother Dylan (Max Thieriot) may kill Norman out of compassion, being the only person who truly still loves him. Or perhaps Emma (Olivia Cooke) will end Norman’s life for murdering her biological mother. And then there’s Madeleine Loomis (Isabelle McNally) who might want to enact revenge for the death of her husband Sam in Norman’s motel shower.

The possibilities are truly endless, which makes next week’s finale all the more exciting. There is, of course, an option we haven’t mentioned yet, as it’s one that might ruffle fans’ feathers. Norman could simply flee White Pine Bay, never to be seen again. But that wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying as seeing Norman actually pay for his past crimes, would it?

Be sure to make your Emmy predictions. Weigh in now with your picks so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our Emmy odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before nominees are announced on July 13. And join in the fierce debate over the 2017 Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our TV forums.